Shani Davis opens up about his ‘Colbert Report’ race

We’re all glad that the hatchet has been buried so amicably — and hilariously! — between Shani Davis and Stephen Colbert. Shani has now shared a little more on the experience, and it sounds like the taping was every bit as much fun as the finished product looked.

There is perhaps no speedskater who is more of a purist than Davis, who has declined the support of U.S. Speedskating and chooses to train alone and without a full-time coach. He would seem to be the last person who would engage in a made-for-television race in which everything was for show, from the Ford sport utility vehicle Davis drove to the “Break My Stride” ringtone on his cell phone to the sequins on Colbert’s bodysuit.

“The ringtone wasn’t mine. I don’t even know how to download a ringtone,” Davis said, laughing. “They had a car that had the cameras all rigged up. It was a big Ford S.U.V. I drive a little Volkswagen.”

Davis said it was worth it to make Colbert’s acquaintance. “That was really cool to actually meet Colbert and get a chance to get to know him a little better as a person and understand what he does as a comedian on the television,” Davis said. “I’m happy that he chose me to do that with him.”

This is such a great article, I love that comment by Shani about them having a big Ford SUV with cameras all set up for him to drive, and he drives a little Volkswagen. The part about Davis getting a better understanding of Stephen as a person and a comedian was great as well. :)

These Olympic articles are just making me all the more excited for the opening ceremony tomorrow, not to mention Stephen’s soon-to-be epic coverage!